The New York Jets selected Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon and could be hoping he is Aaron Rodgers’ successor.
After all, Rodgers is 40 years old and is coming off of a torn Achilles. His contract also expires at the end of next season, so no one really knows what the future holds for Rodgers.
The Jets have taken a proactive approach, selecting a signal-caller who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting this past season.
Travis was asked about Rodgers after being drafted, and he sounds thrilled to play with one of his boyhood idols.
“I love watching Aaron Rodgers, since a little boy,” Travis said, via SNY. “It’s one of my brother’s favorite quarterbacks. I’ve always watched him, and to have an opportunity to go work with him and just learn from him is such a blessing. I’m so grateful and I can’t even describe this feeling.”
Travis is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he threw for 2,756 yards, 20 touchdowns and a couple of interceptions while completing 63.9 percent of his passes. He also punched in seven rushing scores. His season was abbreviated due to a leg injury he suffered in November.
The 23-year-old began his collegiate career at Louisville in 2018, but transferred to Florida State the following year. He began getting regular playing time with the Seminoles in 2020, but he didn’t really break out until 2022, when he totaled 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns and five picks while completing 64 percent of his throws. He added seven scores on the ground.
Travis will likely begin 2024 as the third quarterback on New York’s depth chart behind Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, but we’ll see if the Jets begin to groom him as their future franchise player.
One thing is for sure: Travis will have a fine teacher in Aaron Rodgers.
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